On October 2, 1608, Hans Lippershey of the Netherlands filed a patent for this invention.
Printing press
Rifled musket
Telescope
Holland tulip
Telescope. Lippershey was a lens-maker when he asked for a patent for a "certain device by means of which all things at a very great distance can be seen as if they were nearby, by looking through glasses." The application was rejected because it was felt the knowledge could not remain a secret.